Where is the government’s plan for safe schools?

School starts in just a couple of weeks. That means kids will be back in crowded classrooms during a seventh wave of the pandemic and bracing for the oncoming flu season. Without paid sick days, this puts students, parents, educators, and our communities’ health at risk. 

We know that our healthcare system is stretched beyond its limits right now. Parents and caregivers are even being asked to obtain prescriptions for over-the-counter fever and pain medicine. Taking preventative measures against possible medical emergencies is more important now than ever. Research shows that parents with paid sick days are far less likely to send sick children to school reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Parents with paid sick days are also more likely to keep up with their child’s immunization and stay home with their sick child to aid recovery. 

This week, the Decent Work and Health Network was at the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario annual meeting discussing the importance of paid sick days for keeping classrooms safe. Educators and health workers alike are concerned about the Ontario government’s inaction in legislating this basic protective measure for all workers.

With the new school year just around the corner, the provincial government must keep kids, educators and parents safe – that means immediately legislating 10 permanent paid sick days.

We need to let this government know that putting kids’ health at risk is unacceptable. Join us for a phone action on Wednesday, August 31 at 5:30pm to demand 10 paid sick days, smaller classes, and adequate funding for public schools.

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WATCH: Migrant workers speak out

The Migrant Rights Network has released an inspiring video calling for Status for All. Undocumented workers are bravely speaking up to share their experiences of exploitation, including bad working conditions and being denied access to healthcare. Health workers are echoing their calls because immigration status is a foundational determinant of health.

Here's where your support can make a difference, Sarah. Prime Minister Trudeau is working on a regularization program for undocumented migrants right now. The question is how many of the 500,000 undocumented people in the country will be given equal rights. Now is the time to act. One thing you can do right away is watch and share the video on your social media. 

Together, we need to send a clear message to the federal government that we support the call for full and permanent immigration status for all. If you haven’t yet, you can also sign this petition and make plans to join the upcoming day of action on September 18.